Couch construction



Feb. 3, 1953 L. E. MITZENMACHER 2,627,076

COUCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 1, 1951 2 Sl-iEETS--SI-IEET l I5 29 m L 24 24 4o l0 INVENTOR. (Aw/s 5 w/zzfw/fic/me,

B 4 0M Mm M M F 1953 L. E. MITZENMACI-Y-IER COUCH CONSTRUCTION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1951 WM%# WM M M wk. MB

Patented Feb. 3, 1953 COUCH CONSTRUCTION Lewis E. Mitzenmacher, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

signor to David Erenberg, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 1, 1951, Serial No. 208,917

13' Claims.

This invention relates to couch construction and. to leg construction.

For some purposes, such as sleeping, a couch having a substantially horizontal seating surface is preferred. For other purposes, such. as sitting, a couch having a seating surface which slopes slightly downwardly, toward the rear, is pre ferred. In conventional couches, the seating surface is fixed in either horizontal or sloped position.

An object of my invention is to provide a couch with adjustable rear or front legs so that the seating surface may be changed from a substantially horizontal. surface to a surface which slopes down slightly from front to rear.

Another object of my invention is to provide a couch with adjustable legs which legs are quick and easy to change from retracted to extended position, and from extended to retracted position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable leg which is simple and economical to manufacture and which is strong and reliable in use.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable leg comprising a fixed member, a

movable member pivoted to the fixed member, and means for maintaining the movable member in approximate alignment with the fixed member in all positions except when the movable member is in retracted position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable leg comprising. a fixed member, a movable member pivoted to the fixed member, and spring means mounted on the movable mem her for urging the movable member into approximate alignment with the fixed member.

My invention has many other objects, advantages, and features, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description where I shall outline one form of my invention embodied in a studio couch, which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a couch embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the frame and base of the couch shown in Fig. l, and showing the adjustable legs in position when. the couch is used for seating purposes;

Fig. 3 is another side elevational view of the frame and base of the couch shown in Fig. 1 when the couch is used for sleeping purposes;

Fig. 4 is an inside elevational view of one of the adjustable rear legs shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5' is a rear elevational view of the rear leg shown in Fig. 4 showing the leg in extended position;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the rear leg taken as indicated in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1- of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, showing another arrangement of my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the studio couch 10 comprises a frame II, a base l2, springs l3, adjustable legs l4, fixed legs l5 having rollers 16, mattresses l1 and I8, and cushions l9. Ob viously, the upper surface of the upper mattress l8- provides the seating surface 20, and the upper surface of the mattresses I? and is as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 provides the sleeping surface 20a.

The frame H and base I2 comprise front and rear members 2| and side members 22, all of which may be made of angle iron. The springs l3 are secured to the side members 22 and inter mediate spring supporting members 23 are secured to the front and rear members 2|. The base I2 is also provided with legs 24.

When the adjustable legs H! are in retracted position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the seating surface 20 slopes down slightly from the front end of the couch to the rear. When the adjustable legs it are in extended position, as shown in Figs. 3-, 5 and 6, the sleeping surface 20a is substantially horizontal.

As an instance of the construction of the adjustable legs M, said legs M may comprise a fixed member '25 and a movable member 38.

The fixed member 25 may be made of angle iron and comprise rear 26 and side 21' portions, the upper ends of which are welded as at 28 or otherwise rigidly secured to the frame H. A pin 29 is riveted or otherwise secured to the side portion 21.

The movable member 30 may also be made of angle iron and comprise rear 3| and side 32 portions. Means are provided to resiliently urge the movable member 38 in approximate alignment with the fixed member 25. For example, secured to the lower end of the inside of the rear portion 3! by means of a bolt 33 are leaf springs 34 which bear against the inside of the rear portion 26 of the fixed member 25. The leaf springs are spaced from the inside of the rear portion 3| by means of washers 35. The

side portion 32 is provided with a bayonet slot 36 and an elongated slot 3?. A shaft 38 is secured to the lower end of the movable member 30 by means of brackets 39 and mounted on the shaft 38 is a roller 40.

The movable member 311 is pivoted to the lower end of the fixed member 25. As an instance of this arrangement, the side portion 32 of the movable member Sill is connected to the fixed member 25 by means of a pin 4| which extends through the elongated slot 3'! and is riveted or otherwise secured to the lower end of the side portion 21. A washer 42 may be provided between the outer end of the pin 4| and the side portion 32.

The leaf springs 34 are mounted on the lower end of the inside of the rear portion 3! by means of the bolt 33 and washers 35 in such a manner that when the upper end of the movable meaber is below the pin 29, the leaf springs maintain the movable member 39 in approximate alignment with the fixed member 25, as shown in Fig. 4. In this specification and the claims the expression approximate alignment of the movable member 30 with the fixed member 25 is used to mean that the positions of said members are such that as the couch I is lowered, the pin 29 of the fixed member 25 will be positioned in the bayonet slot 36 of the movable member 30.

The adjustable legs I4 are designed to be moved from their retracted position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, through the intermediate position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 to their extended position shown in full lines in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, and are designed to be moved from their extended position shown in full lines in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, through the intermediate positions shown in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 6, to their retracted position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

One manner by which the adjustable legs l4 may be moved from retracted to extended position is as follows: The corner of the couch I0 is raised to such an extent that the adjustable leg I4 is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, that is, at least to such an extent that the pin 29 is above the upper edge of the movable member 3!]. As the couch is raised, the

leaf springs 34 force the movable member 30;

from horizontal to vertical position and maintain the movable member 34 in vertical position in approximate alignment with the fixed member 25, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, so

that when the couch is lowered the pin 29 will be positioned in the bayonet slot 36. The other adjustable leg l4 may then be moved from retracted to extended position in the same manner. As stated above, when the adjustable legs are in extended position, the surface '20 of the couch IE) is substantially level.

One manner by which the adjustable legs 14 may be moved from extended to retracted position is as follows: The corner of the couch H) is raised until the upper edge of the movable member 30 is below the pin 29. If necessary, the movable member 30 is held so that it is not raised as the couch IQ is raised. An inward force, that is, a force against the action of the springs 34 is then applied to the lower rear portion 3| of the movable member 35]. During the application of this inward force, which causes the movable member 3il to become out of approximate alignment with the supporting member 25, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the couch I0 is the base I2, as shown in Fig. 3.

4 lowered at least to such an extent that the pin 29 is below the upper edge of the movable member 30 in order to be certain that the pin 29 will not be positioned in the bayonet slot 36. The inward force may then be released and the couch lowered to the floor, after which the adjustable leg l4 assumes the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. The other adjustable leg l4 may then be moved from extended to retracted position in the same manner. As stated above, in this position, the surface 20 of the couch slopes down slightly from front to rear.

The couch is shown for use for sitting purposes in Fig. 1. In this position, with the adjustable legs l4 in retracted position, the couch is prevented from being rolled inadvertently. The couch may be prepared for sleeping purposes as a single bed either in that position, or after the adjustable legs l4 are moved from retracted to extended position.

When it is desired to prepare the couch for sleeping purposes, as a double bed, the adjustable legs l4 are moved from their retracted position to their extended position, thus placing the frame II and the mattresses I! and [8 in a horizontal position. The frame II is then rolled from its position over the base l2 to the position adjacent Stops 43 are secured to the base 12 and are adapted to engage one of the rear frame members 2| to limit the outward movement of the frame I I.

The mattress I8 is of greater thickness than the mattress I! so that it may be moved from its position on the mattress I! to the 'base I2 to thus provide the even horizontal sleeping surface 20a.

After use of the couch for sleeping purposes as a double bed, and when it is desired to prepare the couch for sitting purposes, the mattress I8 is moved from its position on the base 12 and placed on the mattress I1. The couch I0 is then rolled back over the base [2, after which the adjustable legs I4 are moved from their extended to their retracted positions.

In Fig. 8 a type of couch I0 is shown which may be used as a single 'bed. In this instance, the front legs are made adjustable. The seating surface 2% of the couch will be sloped down rearwardly when the adjustable legs l4 are in extended position and will be substantially level when the adjustable legs I4 are in retracted position. In said Fig. 8, like parts are indicated by like single primed reference numerals.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the uses, advantages and operation of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains. While I have described one embodiment of my invention, I desire to have it understood that the form shown is merely illustrative and that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A couch comprising: a frame arranged to receive a seating surface for the couch; fixed legs; and adjustable legs movable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in one position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in the other position, said adjustable legs comprising a fixed mem- '5 ber, a movable member pivoted to said fixed member and means for resiliently urging said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed member.

2. A couch comprising: a frame arranged to receive a seating surface for the couch; fixed front legs; adjustable rear legs movable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in extended position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward'the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in retracted position; and a resilient means adapted to apply a force to urge said adjustable legs from retracted to extended position when the couch is lifted.

3. A couch comprising: a frame arranged to receive a seating surface for the couch; fixed rear legs; and adjustable front legs movable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in retracted position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said 2 seating surface when said adjustable legs are in retracted position, said adjustable legs comprising a fixed member, a movable member pivoted to said fixed member and means for resilient-1y urging said movable member into approximate ali ment with said fixed member.

4. A couch comprising: a frame arranged to receive a seating surface for the couch; fixed legs having rollers thereon; adjustable legs having rollers and being swingable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in one position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in the other position; and spring means arranged to exert a force tending to swing said adjustable legs from retracted to extended position when said frame is lifted with relation to the floor.

5. A couch comprising: a frame; springs secured to said frame; a mattress providing a seating surface; fixed legs; and adjustable legs movable from retracted to extended position, the

seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in one position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in the other position, said adjustable legs comprising a fixed member, a movable member pivoted to said fixed member and means for resiliently urging said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed member.

6. A .couch comprising: a frame; springs se- 7 cured to said frame; a mattress providing a seating surface; fixed front legs; and adjustable rear legs movable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in extended position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in retracted position, said adjustable legs comprising a fixed member, a movable member pivoted to said fixed member and means for resiliently urging said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed member.

7. A couch comprising: a frame; springs secured to said frame; a mattress providing a seating surface; fixed rear legs; and adjustable front legs movable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in extended position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in retracted position, said adjustable legs comprising a fixed memben'a movable member pivoted to said fixed member and means for resiliently urging said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed member.

8. A couch comprising: a frame; springs secured to said frame; a mattress providing a seating surface; fixed legs having rollers thereon; and adjustable legs having rollers and being movable from retracted to extended position, the seating surface of said couch being substantially horizontal when said adjustable legs are in one position, and said seating surface being sloped downwardly from the front toward the rear of said seating surface when said adjustable legs are in the other position, said adjustable legs comprising a fixed member, a movable member connected to said fixed member, said movable member being in alignment with said fixed member in extended position and normal to said fixed member in retracted position, means mounted on said movable member for resiliently urging said movable member from retracted to extended position and for resiliently urging said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed member, and means for positively maintaining said movable member in alignment with said fixed member when said adjustable leg is in extended posiion.

9. An adjustable leg comprising: a fixed member; a movable member so that it may be swung from a position of approximate alignment with said fixed member to a lateral position pivoted to said fixed member; and means operatively connected to said members and acting when said movable member is in said lateral position to resiliently urge said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed member.

10. An adjustable leg comprising: a fixed member; a movable member adapted to be swung from extended position to lateral position with relation to said fixed member, one of said members having an elongated slot, and the other of said members having a pin positioned through said elongated slot thereby pivot-ally mounting said movable member to said fixed member; and resilient means arranged so that it will apply a force to urge said movable member from said lateral position to said extended position with relation to said first member.

11. An adjustable leg comprising: a fixed member; a movable member having an elongated slot, said fixed member having a pin positioned through said elongated slot thereby mounting said movable member to said fixed member for movement from extended to retracted position with relation to said fixed member; and means adapted to resiliently urge said movable member from retracted to extended position.

12. An adjustable leg comprising: a fixed member; a movable member connected to said fixed member, said movable member being in alignment with said fixed member in extended position and normal to said fixed member in retracted position; and means mounted on said movable member positioned so that it will urge said mova'ble member from retracted to extended position and for resiliently urging said movable member into approximate alignment with said fixed mem ber.

13. An adjustable leg comprising: a fixed member; a. movable member connected to said fixed member, said movable member being in alignment with said fixed member in extended position and normal to said fixed member in retracted position; means mounted on said movable 10 Number member for positioning so that it will urge said movable member from retracted to extended position and for resiliently urging said movable memher into approximate alignment with said fixed member; and means for locking said movable member in alignment with said fixed member when said adjustable legis in extended position.

LEWIS E. MITZENMACHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this'patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,143,342 Whittaker June 15, 1915 1,836,321 Graham Dec. 15, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 245,333 Great Britain Jan. 27, 1926 

